Brown promises Budget in a fortnight

Gordon Brown is set to announce the Budget will happen at the end of the month, increasing the likelihood that the election will be on 6 May.

The Budget will be presented to Parliament on 24 March.

Brown is due to speak at Reuters HQ later today. In quotes given to news agencies he will say: "We are at a turning point, a crossroads, for our domestic economic recovery - and for the global economic governance that will shape the next decades for us and our children, and for families and children all across the world. The stakes are high. We dare not risk the recovery.

"We have got through this storm together but there are still substantial risks ahead. There will be bumps in the road. And I believe the only way to overcome them is by displaying the same strength and resolve as we did during the crisis."

Brown will hope to see some improvement despite yesterday's jump in trade deficit, which wasn't helped by the falling pound. He's probably also cheered by David Cameron's apparent determination to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. ®